Pope reaching out to non-Catholics

May 19, 2005

VATICAN CITY — Although 78 and seen by some as a transitional figure, Pope Benedict XVI moved quickly in the first month of his papacy, standing firm on the moral code for his flock while reaching out to Jews and other non-Catholics and seeking to break down a half-century-old barrier with China.

When he was elected as pope April 19 in one of the shortest conclaves in modern history, there were questions of how the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, seen as a severe guardian of church orthodoxy, would fill the shoes of his crowd-pleasing, world-traveling predecessor, Pope John Paul II.

His first appearances in papal white seemed to dispel the doubts. During his general audience Wednesday, Benedict spoke in a half-dozen languages, including reading a greeting in John Paul's native Polish, noting it would have been the "unforgettable pontiff's" 85th birthday..

"He intends to make a dynamic mark," Vatican expert and papal biographer Marco Politi said of Benedict. "The cardinals made a prestigious choice."

For Roman Catholics, the new pope was expected to maintain the Vatican's firm opposition to abortion, euthanasia, gay marriage and female priests, making clear that changes on those issues are out of the question.

On that line, Benedict selected San Francisco Archbishop William Levada to fill the job Ratzinger held for 24 years--prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith. The choice gives new power to a champion of church doctrine who has spoken out against same-sex marriages while leading Roman Catholics in a city with a vibrant gay community.

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Compiled from news services and edited by Patrick Olsen (polsen@tribune.com)